The Hawai'i Tourism Authority is looking to help pay for community-based projects that "respect, enhance and perpetuate Hawai'i's natural environment and areas frequented by residents and visitors."

Beginning today , the state agency for tourism will make available application packets on HTA's Web site at www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/pdf/RFPS/NatRes09.pdf.

In 2008, 25 projects across the state benefited from this program including North Shore Chamber of Commerce's Laniakea Beach Honu Education Project on O'ahu, The Hawai'i Nature Center's Healing the Land: Lo'i Restoration Project on Maui, National Tropical Botanical Garden's Limahuli & Lawa'i Kai Ahupua'a Initiatives on Kaua'i, and Malama O Puna's Wai'opae Marine Life Conservation District Coral Reef Restoration Project on Hawai'i Island.

For more information on this program, visit HTA's Web site at www.hawaiitourismauthority.org.

Proposals must be received by the agency no later than 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 22. Proposals will be reviewed and selected under the guidance of HTA's Natural Resources Advisory Group, which includes representatives from the Hawai'i Ecotourism Association, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club – Hawai'i, PBR Hawai'i, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, and the state Departments of Land and Natural Resources, and Business, Economic Development & Tourism.